A long time ago there was this three year old boy. He was an only child, and he had a very powerful imagination.

His first “girlfriend” was one of those “Big Eye” paintings that were popular in the 60’s and 70’s. He was totally smitten with her and her big blue eyes.

He looked forward to seeing her everyday, as they went to some far off place in his imagination. She was a little weird and funny and had a way of cheering him up when he was down.

I’m sure in Jungian terms, the boy tapped into his own anima and projected it into her, just as Pygmalion did with Galatea.

The painting eventually disappeared… but she lived in his heart and haunted him with those gorgeous eyes his whole life.

Athena, I swear I’m lost without you…
You’re the Angel of my dreams.
But you left me, went back to your world far away…

In his teen years, no girl ever matched up to his “dream girl” (and we ALL know how that “marriage” thing worked, right?). He kind of had it in his head that she was real and out there somehow… he’d know it by looking into her eyes. She was his Muse. His “Immortal Beloved”.

After buying a Charvel Jackson Randy Rhodes guitar when he was 18… his dream girl had a new name: RANDI ATHENAS.

She’s changed forms over the years, but there was always those eyes. Those eyes and that zany personality. Still head over heels in Love with her, and seen little bits of her in every woman I’ve ever loved. It’s what drives me and haunts me at the same time.

Lonely nights, and it just ain’t right.
I’m lost inside.
Though I feel in the starlight, you’re still watching me…

… it’s the price that you pay, when you’re in Love with a fantasy….

Did you have a Dream Girl/Guy?
Did you ever find them?
Am I crazier than you originally thought?

Spent 9/11/01 working a 13 hour day in a newspaper, and can probably tell you all kinds of interesting anecdotes and thing you didn't know that happened (like why everything went "commercial-free"), but he doubts you will see Nicolas Cage playing him setting up databases and newsfeeds as a clock counts down any time soon.

About Eric Brooks

Spent 9/11/01 working a 13 hour day in a newspaper, and can probably tell you all kinds of interesting anecdotes and thing you didn't know that happened (like why everything went "commercial-free"), but he doubts you will see Nicolas Cage playing him setting up databases and newsfeeds as a clock counts down any time soon.

I had no idea Randy came from such a storied provenance…
This is very sweet….

I don’t think it’s crazy. I think it’s lovely.

I myself have never had an “ideal”, but then I never think in such absolute terms which may be why I have never “accomplished” anything in the typical sense.

I have no degrees, no accreditations, no licenses, etc.
I just could never conform to any one credo.
I am not a joiner… I may be a bit more antisocial than I have ever intended to be… but there it is. 🙂

I think lots of girls have a dream guy that is based on an idealized memory of their dad. Because I lost mine at a young age, I’ve probably carried a few extra stars in my eyes and glossed over the bad parts…just remembering his sense of humor, intelligence, ease with people, and the way he seemingly adored me. Perhaps not so easy for some man to live up to now! I’ve loved many people in my life, but I keep wondering if I’ve ever felt “in love.” I want to experience that someday, to feel swept away, to feel I’d give everything I own just to be with him.

Eric Brooks Reply:August 8th, 2009 at 11:32 am

Wow. That is really sweet.
I don’t think that’s impossible at all, he just needs to be totally smitten with you and put you above everyone else. I’ve seen it happen before.

Hope he finds you. 🙂

Eric Brooks

I so appreciate you reading it, Lori. 🙂

I continue to be amazed at how learned and gifted you are, and to find out you didn’t get any of that from a college degree… you seem to set your mind on something and just go for it.

I admire that about you.

Lori Gomez Van Wagoner Reply:August 10th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

Awww… Eric!
xoxo

Yes, that is the way I operate. I just go for it.
I may fall flat on my face, but hey, at least I tried. My problem is I tend to adhere to the all or nothing principle.

When you do that, it is far too easy to reach a level of saturation with a thing & become bored by it.

But look at you! Music, writing, web design & weren’t you into law or did I dream that up in my little fantasy world? 😉

Regardless, it is quite impressive how diverse your interests are and how successful you have been in realizing them.
.-= Lori Gomez Van Wagoner´s last blog ..A Woman Scorned Is A Bitch!!! =-.

Stone Bryson

Been meaning to get back to this for a second read. Yep – just as amazing as the first time I took it in. Glad you chose to repost it here, my friend…

This one is definitely above what MySpace deserves… 🙂

Pam Lee

Crazy? No. Never. Old soul? Absolutely. The more I get to know you, the more I realize we are alike.

Dream guy? Don’t think so. I met my first husband when I was 17; married at 20; two children by 25; divorced by 32.

I’ve spent so much time getting OUT of relationships, I’ve never really invested on figuring how to build one, to the detriment of many who have tried. I feel a little guilty about that, but not too much.

Beautiful post. Beautiful music, too! Thanks, Eric!

Alicia

Great post Eric!

I’ve only ever dared to dream about the perfect guy while sleeping. Maybe I should try it while I’m awake sometime.

Kudos & goodnight/morning!

VXen4UrVP

Sometimes we find a way to protect the things that are within its meanings… does that make sense?

I think we all have our own ideals as to what a Dream mate would be… witty, great sense of humor, creative, romantic… its all an ideal reflection of what and who we are.

We want what is our mirror, our compatible nature looks for things that are similar. Its because we are familiar with ourselves so familiarity becomes the goal and in turn partially becomes the “dream”.

I think there are such a thing as soulmates and sometimes they come from the most suprisingly pleasant places and sometimes they come in our lives at what seems to be the wrong time.

I don’t believe in wrong timing…

Eric Brooks Reply:April 8th, 2011 at 10:14 pm

I couldn’t agree with you more…
I had some profound stuff but lost it along the way. Yeesh.
The mirror part was fascinating, because although it’s a reflection of us, it’s also flipped in reverse making a “Yin/Yang” effect.